RT Journal Article
T1 Approaching Young University Students' Suffering Following the Death of a Family Member: A Qualitative Study
A1 Merino Meza, Cristóbal
A1 Cáceres Titos, María José
A1 Ortega Galán, Ángela María
A1 Ruiz Fernández, María Dolores
A1 Robles Romero, José Miguel
A1 García Navarro, Esperanza Begoña
AB Background/Objectives: The death of a parent due to illness during adolescence constitutes a highly disruptive experience that compounds the developmental losses inherent to this stage of life. Distinguishing between the emotional and behavioural changes characteristic of adolescent development and those specific to grief can be complex, which may hinder the support provided by health, social care, and educational professionals. The aim of this study was to understand the grieving process and associated suffering in young university students who had lost a parent during adolescence. Methods: An exploratory qualitative design with a phenomenological approach was employed. Nine semi-structured interviews were conducted to examine in depth the experiences of suffering and grief associated with the loss of a family member among university students. The study adhered to the COREQ guidelines (Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research). Results: Among the main findings, the quality of the bond with the deceased parent emerged as particularly significant, as it influences the adolescent’s identity formation process. The loss of this parent may hinder processes of differentiation and independence, affecting the decisions young people must make as they transition into adulthood. This proves especially important in key life choices that shape their life project, such as vocational decisions and intimate partner relationships. Conclusions: Parental death during adolescence has long-lasting repercussions on identity construction and the shaping of one’s life project. It is necessary to strengthen psychosocial support within both clinical and educational contexts in order to address the specific needs of adolescents and young people undergoing this experience.
PB MDPI
SN 2227-9032 (electrónico)
YR 2026
FD 2026
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10272/28468
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10272/28468
LA eng
NO Merino-Meza, C., Cáceres-Titos, M. J., Ortega-Galán, A. M., Ruiz-Fernández, M. D., Robles-Romero, J. M., & Garcia-Navarro, E. B. (2026). Approaching Young University Students’ Suffering Following the Death of a Family Member: A Qualitative Study. Healthcare, 14(8), 991. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14080991
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Huelva
RD 14 jul 2026